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STEM Racing (previously F1 in Schools) is a competitive engineering programme where student teams design, manufacture, and race miniature high-performance cars powered by compressed CO₂. It combines engineering, aerodynamics, manufacturing, branding, and team management into a single, industry-style challenge.
The competition is structured to simulate real-world engineering processes. Teams must design a car that balances speed, efficiency, stability, and visual identity while documenting their decisions with the same standards expected in professional engineering environments.
A Multi-Disciplinary Engineering Challenge
STEM Racing isn’t just about building a fast car. Teams must demonstrate strength across several disciplines:
Engineering & CAD
Teams create full 3D CAD models of their cars, applying principles of:
aerodynamic efficiency
structural optimisation
weight reduction
tolerance control
precision manufacturing
Aerodynamics
Understanding airflow and reducing drag are key performance drivers. Many teams use:
CFD simulations
aero testing
iterative refinement
Manufacturing
Cars are produced through industry-level workflows such as:
CNC machining
3D printing (SLA, MJF and FDM)
vapour smoothing
post-processing and surface finishing
Documentation & Presentation
Teams must present their engineering work professionally, including:
design portfolios
manufacturing plans
project management
brand identity and marketing strategies
pit display materials
Racing
Cars race down a 20-metre track powered by CO₂ cartridges.
Performance depends on:
weight
wheel geometry
friction management
alignment
aerodynamics
build quality
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